\n
Oceania football officials hope that the new Western Pacific-based competition will allow the region to compete better at the global stage and establish a blueprint for others to follow.<\/p>\n
On Friday, the Oceania Football Union (OFC) announced eight priority clubs to participate in their first OFC Professional League in January if they successfully complete the final stages of their licensing and compliance process.<\/p>\n
New Zealand, the Union’s highest power, has two: Auckland FC and Christchurch United. Fiji, the Solomon Islands and Papua New Guinea are represented by Brides, Solomon Kings and Hekari United, respectively. <\/p>\n
There are also Vanuatu FC and Tahiti United. South Melbourne joins from Australia, but in 2006 the nation left OFC to participate in ASIAN FOOULBAL CONFEDERATION.<\/p>\n
The small populations scattered across Oceania make it difficult for the country to develop its own infrastructure and challenge it on the international stage.<\/p>\n
“This is the first professional league for the Oceania region,” league manager Stuart Lerman told The Associated Press. “It provides professional pathways for players, coaches, referees and administrators. This helps everyone hone their skills and competitiveness.”<\/p>\n
The chance to play more matches is a priority. <\/p>\n
“When I first travelled to OFC’s Membership Association, I was told that the best players tend to play two or three very competitive matches a year,” Rahman said. “The league ensures a high level of competition of at least 17 games per club per season.”<\/p>\n
More competition could be useful at the 2029 FIFA Club World Cup. <\/p>\n
in 2025 edition<\/span>Auckland City, OFC’s highest ranked club, Lost on 10-0<\/span> Bayern Munich and 6-0<\/span> To Benfica, that continued Drawing 1-1<\/span> With Boca Junior from Argentina.<\/p>\nThe new league offers a way to compete in the 2029 tournament.<\/p>\n
“The league certainly provides the conditions for OFC representatives to best prepare for the FIFA tournament,” Rahman said.<\/p>\n
It should also help raise the standard off the field.<\/p>\n
“The licensing metrics required by OFC are required to ensure that selected clubs implement professional governance, infrastructure and sports standards,” former FIFA and AFC executive James Kitchen told the Associated Press. “These flow-on effects may include increased payments for training compensation and solidarity mechanisms to the club, or payment of transfer fees.”<\/p>\n
If everything goes according to the plan, new regional leagues could emerge elsewhere in the world, especially as the attitudes of the governing body have changed. <\/p>\n
“FIFA took a much more liberal and flexible approach to the traditional “same country, same league” model, common across football across the world,” Kitching added. “Whether it’s for sports, commercial, infrastructure or other reasons, there is a possibility of adopting cross-border models in several parts of the world.”<\/p>\n
The OFC Professional League will officially begin in Auckland at the end of October.<\/p>\n
___<\/p>\n
AP Soccer: https:\/\/apnews.com\/hub\/soccer<\/span><\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
\n
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